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Collusion happened at the Highest levels of Unionism - Molloy

Francie Molloy, MP for Mid Ulster speaking in Armagh last
night on a panel discussion on dealing with the past said that “collusion
happened not just at the highest levels of the British establishment but also
at the highest levels of Ulster Unionism.”

Mr Molloy was joined on the panel by independent MLA, John
McCallister, Anne Calwallader (PFC), Paul Butler (RfJ) and Mary McCallen (WAVE)
to discuss how we deal with the past.

Mr Molloy said:

“While those, including the SDLP, who lectured Sinn Féin
that ‘Collusion was just an Illusion’ are now coming to accept that it was in
fact a reality, I would warn them against believing that it was just the
British government and its so-called security forces that were involved.

“Ulster Unionism at the highest levels was also complicit in
that dirty war. I witnessed first-hand, Ulster Unionist MP, Harold McCusker in
discussion with leading UVF men in Charlemont, two days before Denis Mullan was
murdered in his home at Collegeland, just a short distance from where the
meeting took place.

“The question has to be asked, what was Harold Mc Cusker
talking to the UVF about? Why were they meeting in the back yard of UDR man,
George Elliott and what were leading UVF men, Ted Sinclair and Billy Corrigan
meeting with the Ulster Unionist MP about?

“This type of relationship between Unionism, loyalism and
so-called security force members had tragic consequences for Nationalists who
could not trust any sector of state authority, including the dominant political
party to deliver protection and justice.

“Republicans/nationalists had no recourse to normal
mechanisms of justice to address their grievances.”

Following questions and a suggestion from John McCallister
that the Assembly needed reformed to “normal politics” Mr Molloy stated that
“there would be no going back to one party or Direct Rule at Stormont and if
unionists refuse to share power on a voluntary basis then joint sovereignty
pending national reconciliation should be introduced to manage the change.”